Summer is off to a gorgeous start in Upper Michigan. And, technically, it isn't even summer yet. That doesn't happen until the end of the week. But we have already broken a couple high temperature records in June. This past Saturday (June 16) a record high of 91 degrees was set. Residents around Marquette County have seen plenty of beach time already this season. Just about every day last week was a beach day. We sent the camera out to McCarty's Cove.

NMU Board of Trustees to set tuition

The NMU Board of Trustees is expected to set tuition at its next meeting, July 19-20. Recent legislative action has put increasing pressure on Michigan universities to focus on tuition and cost-savings measures to compensate for state cuts, delayed payments, unfunded mandates and rising operational expenses.
Under an agreement reached by Gov. Jennifer Granholm and lawmakers to address this year's budget deficit, Northern will have to give back $806,000 of its previously allotted $1.3 million state funding increase for FY2007. Because the university's budget cycle ends June 30, most of the money has already been spent. The state will also delay payments of $4.2 million until after the government's new fiscal year begins in October.
"We anticipated a tough situation as we were planning our budget for the current year, so we deferred some maintenance projects and equipment purchases," said Gavin Leach, vice president for Finance and Administration. "The funding was set aside, but we didn't spend it. We will use those reserves to cover the bulk of the $800,000 and to fill the void between August and October. If it turns out that the state cannot make the October payment as intended, that $4.2 million is a significant cut to our budget and we will have to formulate a plan to address that situation if it surfaces."
NMU President Les Wong calls such disinvestment strategies a bow to the role higher education has in reinvigorating and diversifying the Michigan economy.
"Universities are key economic engines in their communities and our graduates represent the new workforce where intellectual capital will spur new businesses and new enterprises," he said. "These steps will slow down our current efforts. Continuous cuts year after year threaten the ability to be able to offer programs at the highest level of quality."
Wong said he has been told its is likely that the state legislative leadership will present a proposal for FY2008 higher education funding before the end of the month.
"So many legislators have told me that they know investing in higher education is crucial to the state. Our hope is that the funding bill for 2007-08 clearly reflects that."

Detroit alumni hosting zoo event

NMU alumni in the Detroit area will be getting together with friends and family at the Detroit Zoo.Sunday, June 24
Detroit Zoo
8450 West 10 Mile Road
Royal Oak
1p.m.
Purchase tickets at the zoo. Meet NMU alumni at the Wolverine picnic site pavilion. Bring your own lunch.
Questions should be directed to Sean Krabach '94.

NMU Night at Comerica Park

The NMU Alumni Association and Detroit Area Alumni Club are pleased to present this special event.
Enjoy a special evening exclusively packaged for NMU Alumni and Friends.

Northern has received two Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards. The nationwide competition honors the most successful ideas in menus, presentations, special-event planning and new dining concepts. It is sponsored by the National Association of College and University Food Services.
Among medium-sized schools, Northern won silver in the category of stand-alone, single-concept retail outlet for Temaki & Tea. The venue is located on the upper floor of C.B. Hedgcock and serves sushi and noodle dishes, along with other organic and fair trade food and beverages.
In the residence hall theme dinner category, NMU earned bronze for "Northern Lights" at the Marketplace. The event was held on the Sunday night students returned from spring break. In addition to themed decor and food, students could enjoy roasted marshmallows, hay rides and games.
"The staff had a great time putting it together," said Andre Mallie, director of Dining Services. "But it involved a lot of hard work, so it's nice to see the staff get recognized for their efforts and professionalism. These awards not only boost morale; they put Northern in the same league as some of the big-name universities known for their great dining services operations. It's also good for the student because it enhances their total experience."

NMU 'Zambassadors' return

Thirteen NMU students and two professors have returned from a field studies course in Zambia. They are eager to qualify the experience as a science class, not a travel tour. The students conducted hands-on research of their own design in a rugged outdoor environment.

From student Nicholas Gray's blog:
"I don't think that I will ever take a trip quite like this ever again. The people in our group that I traveled with each brought something unique to the table that made the trip that much more interesting and better. I must say that the diversity of animals, plant life, and bugs and birds is quite extraordinary. This trip has helped me become a better researcher in the field and open up my eyes to a new style that we like to call "Africa Time". Over all this trip has been a complete success and I can't wait till the Zamposium to see everyone again and share what we learned."

The students and professors will prepare their data analyses and plan a "Zamposium" for the early fall semester to share their experiences with the campus community.

...Rick Malta '80 of Kalispell, Mont.
Rick hasn't been on campus since 1982, more than 25 years ago. Our first question to Rick was "what took you so long?" Our second; "What do you think of campus?"
Rick reported that he is amazed at all the changes on campus and around Marquette, but the people are still just as friendly as ever. One item in particular Rick commented on, many of the streets that used to be one-way during his years in town are now two-way. He learned that after a trip north on Front Street--in the wrong lane.

...Danielle '03 and Josh '04 Johnson of Fallon, Nev.

Don't forget...if you're visiting Marquette this summer, please stop by and say hello. We love having visitors to the 6th floor. And we like putting your mug in the newsletter!

From the Email bag

"Seeing your pictures and comments on the weather reminded me that on June 1 it was somewhere around 100 degrees and on July 4 it snowed. That was my first year at Northern. The winters were different then. Paul Harvey came and reported that summer in Marquette was two weeks of bad skiing.
Bob Cook '67
Browns Summit, NCrcookjr@triad.rr.com